Multi-National Corps – Iraq

Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20080914-05

Sept. 14, 2008

Coalition, Iraqi Forces complete Operation Viper Pursuit, capture over 30 terrorists

Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry teamed up with 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain’s VIPER Military Transition Team and elements of the Iraqi Army, conducted Operation Viper Pursuit to disrupt local terrorist cells within the Sulayman Bak area Aug. 1-30.  

Operation Viper Pursuit combined air and ground assaults to cordon and search specific parts of local villages. Because of this combined efforts of the Iraqi Army’s 4th Division Quick Reaction Force and the 3rd Battalion of the 15th IA Brigade along with B Company, 1st Bn., 87th Inf., more than 30 terrorists were detained during the month-long operation. . 

“We really took them by surprise by establishing an extended presence in Sulyman Bak, that’s something we’ve never tried before,” said Spc. Sean Bizarres, a radio telephone operator with Headquarters Platoon, Bravo Company. 

The joint effort has helped in paving a way for the ISF to eventually take over operation in the area.  Bravo Company has worked especially close with the 4th Div., QRF, by conducting numerous joint operations in the area ranging from cache searches, cordon and searches of urban areas, to air assaults and raids. 

“They are the best group of Iraqi soldiers I’ve worked with during my two deployments to Iraq,” said Sgt. Jeremy Walker, a squad leader in 3rd Plt., Bravo Co. 

During the operation, Viper MiTT and Bravo Co., also conducted a reconciliation screening, which allowed local Iraqis an opportunity to clear their name of being involved with insurgent activity

At the conclusion of Operation Viper Pursuit, the Provincial Governor, Hamad Hammoud Shekti, visited the town to meet with local leaders and members as well as several sites in the town to demonstrate the strength of the security in Sulyman Bak. Though his visit was brief, it represented the dawn of a new opportunity for Sulyman Bak as Iraqi government officials demonstrated their care for the residents and progress of the village.

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